title: Posttraumatic stress symptoms and cortisol regulation in mothers of very preterm infants.
abstract: Previous studies have found that mothers of very preterm infants often report symptoms of posttraumatic stress, which has been related to cortisol dysregulation. However, the exact nature of this association is not clear and can be different regarding the predominance of some specific symptoms of posttraumatic stress, as suggested by a recent model. The objective of the present study is to assess the association between diurnal salivary cortisol and posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers of very preterm infants. Seventy-four mothers of very preterm infants were included in the study. Mothers' cortisol regulation and posttraumatic stress symptoms were evaluated 12 months after child theoretical term (40 weeks of gestation). Results showed an association between higher re-experiencing symptoms and flatter cortisol slopes. These results may help to understand differences found in studies assessing the relation between severity of posttraumatic stress and cortisol levels, by supporting the symptoms' theory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Habersaat
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghini
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nessi
authors.forename: Blaise
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pierrehumbert
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forcada-Guex
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ansermet
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Müller-Nix
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000523:psychology*; D016014:Linear Models; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: cortisol; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; posttraumatic stress